‘Exciting’, like a Political Talking Point, is the word used to trump-up the development by the General Growth Properties (who bought Columbia, MD from Rouse Co.) of Merriweather Post Pavilion. I’ll admit, there are two good reasons for doing this: one, “We need a few more family events,” general manager for GGP Denis Miller says, “We want them to come at 10 a.m. and leave at midnight.” Family events, more ‘things’ to do (of which Columbia is severly lacking), are good things. Secondly, there is the debatable value of unhibited growth.
Here’s what Howard County Exective James Robey says about the plan:
“They’ve come wide open; I’m pleased. It’s a huge first step for what Columbia should be when it grows up.”
County Councilman Christopher J. Merdon says:
“A lot of the elements of their plan are very exciting.”
Here’s what the plan calls for (beyond the destruction of the historical, popular, green Merriweather):
- 704,000 square feet of office space, including a 24-story or 18-story building
- 148,000 square feet of retail,
- 1,000 housing units, and
- a 125-room hotel.
What the fuck is ‘exciting’ about twenty-four floors office space? More later.
Parking, traffic key in plan for Columbia [The Baltimore Sun]